MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur— The wounds brought about by the 5-month Marawi siege is slowly healing, says Akmad Mutoc as President Rodrigo Duterte unveiled the modern Marawi Grand Mosque inside the Most Affected Area on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
For Akmad, the restoration of the Mosque, the center of Islam faith in Marawi, symbolizes the healing of their wounds “When I saw the President unveils the marker, I felt the pain of the war slowly easing inside my heart, because the edifice is the symbol of my devotion.”
The newly constructed Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamie (Grand Mosque) in Marawi City is the biggest Mosque inside the then Marawi Commercial Center.
There was silence as Duterte slowly pulled the string to show the marker, Mosque administrator Saidamen Pangarungan was among the witness of the historic event.
The Grand Mosque was heavily damaged by the 2017 siege, it is the fifth house of Islamic worship that was rehabilitated by the national government through the funding support of the private sector.
In his speech, Duterte said “This place holds historic and cultural significance in the loves of the Maranao who rejoice as a nation as the Grand Mosque gives hope to out brothers and sisters.”
Four other mosques that were completely repaired by TFBM have already been inaugurated and turned over to their respective administrators. These are Masjid Disomangcop in Barangay Daguduban, Masjid Darussalam in Barangay Raya Madaya, Marinaut Mosque in Barangay West Marinaut, and White Mosque in Barangay Lumbac Madaya.
During the unveiling, Duterte was assisted by Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, and mosque administrator Saidamen Pangarungan.
